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Place These 3 Things Under Your Pillow for a Lifetime of Prosperity and Wealth

3 November, 2024

1. Books, a Family of Knowledge

An ancient Chinese saying goes, “All other things are inferior; only reading books is exalted.” Reading books held a significant place in the thoughts of Confucius and Mencius, deemed the epitome of knowledge and wisdom in Chinese culture.

Placing books under one’s pillow symbolizes a thirst for knowledge. For ordinary children, reading is the sole path to altering their life trajectory. In the past, students endured years of arduous study for a chance to pass the arduous imperial examinations. The old adage, “Books hold a house of gold,” underscores the link between reading and wealth.

The poem, “Within books lies a house of gold, and books possess a unique beauty like jade,” is excerpted from Zhao Heng’s “Encouragement to Learn,” the third emperor of the Song Dynasty. This poem emphasizes that through diligent study, one can reside in a magnificent mansion without complaining about the lack of a good matchmaker. Moreover, it suggests that hard work in education will lead to a beautiful spouse.

An ancient saying goes, “All other things are inferior; only reading books is exalted.”

This call from the emperor held great significance for the people of the Northern Song Dynasty. Despite the country’s challenges, culture thrived, and the Song Dynasty became one of the most prosperous feudal periods, alongside the Tang Dynasty.

However, to attain this “house of gold,” two prerequisites must be met. Firstly, one must become an exceptional scholar. Not merely a scholar, but one who achieves academic success and accolades. Those who only excel in their studies without attaining titles may end up as teachers, living off what they have.

Consider the current situation, where gaining admission to prestigious universities is increasingly challenging to attain this “house of gold.” It also depends on one’s career, as well as hard work and luck.

The second condition is not just to “open beneficial books” but to read truly valuable works. Chinese culture boasts a long history and numerous classic works. While there are countless books worth reading, one should focus on those that lead to fame.

If your goal in reading is to seek this “house of gold,” choose appropriate materials to attain renown. Conversely, if you read solely for passion or personal fulfillment without aiming for fame, you may select according to your preferences.

However, it’s important to note that some books contain harmful content and should be avoided. Such books will not only fail to bring you fame but may also distort your perspectives. Stay away from detrimental books.

Reading is a necessary condition for success, but not the only one. Undoubtedly, reading beneficial books will positively impact self-improvement and capability enhancement.

2. Money, a Prosperous Family

In ancient traditions, people often hid money under their pillows, believing it would attract wealth. Children usually placed their lucky money under their pillows during the Lunar New Year, wishing for a prosperous and peaceful year. This custom of hiding money stems from safety concerns, as beds are private spaces, and placing money under the pillow is discreet and secure.

We may also keep some spare change under our pillows. This act symbolizes “money under the pillow,” suggesting that our family’s finances will always be abundant.

In ancient traditions, people believed that hiding money under their pillows would attract wealth.

3. Gourd, a Lucky Family

Lastly, let’s discuss the gourd, which some may find an odd or enigmatic topic. In ancient culture, the gourd was considered a homophone for “福禄” (Fú Lù, meaning “good fortune and prosperity”) and was a favored symbol of luck among scholars. Placing a gourd under one’s pillow expresses a desire for happiness and abundance.

The pillows of ancient times were often made of stiff materials and had space to hold personal items, unlike the soft pillows we use today. Thus, they could easily accommodate a gourd.

Gourds were also believed to ward off evil spirits. Nowadays, many people like to use gourds as home decorations, such as hanging small gourd accessories in their cars.

In classical literature, some deities used gourds as tools to capture evil spirits. This stems from the belief that gourds bring good luck and keep misfortunes at bay. For example, in “Journey to the West,” Sun Wukong used a gourd to trap two demon kings, Jin and Yin Jiao. Of course, the gourd need not be placed under the pillow; it can also be hung above the bed. Having “福禄” (Fú Lù) above one’s head is a positive sign, indicating a life of peace and contentment, free from worries about food and shelter.